Figwort sawfly

Tenthredo scrophulariae

The Figwort sawfly is a small, friendly insect that loves to munch on plants. It has a shiny body and can be found in gardens and fields, where it helps nature by being part of the food chain.

Lebensraum: Gardens and fields

Aussehen

The Figwort sawfly is a medium-sized insect with a black and bright yellow striped body, visually mimicking a wasp. It has a robust, unconstricted 'waist' unlike true wasps, and clear wings with dark veins. Its antennae are slender and black.

ReichAnimaliaStammArthropodaKlasseInsectaOrdnungHymenopteraFamilieTenthredinidaeGattungTenthredo

Figwort sawfly

Kategorie

Insekten

Seltenheit

Common

Gefahr

1/5 · Sehr gering

Snaps

Mach den ersten Snap!

Interessante Fakten

Female sawflies have a special 'saw' on their tummy for laying eggs in plants!

Figwort sawfly larvae sometimes mimic bird droppings to hide from hungry birds!

Some sawfly larvae curl into an 'S' shape when disturbed, ready to defend themselves!

Their larvae have many extra tummy legs, making them look unique among insects!

Besondere Fähigkeiten

Figwort sawfly larvae can absorb chemicals from their host plants, making them distasteful to predators.

Female sawflies have a saw-like tool called an ovipositor to precisely cut into plant stems for laying eggs.

Its bold yellow and black stripes mimic a wasp, tricking predators into thinking it can sting, even though it can't.

Maße und Details

Flügelspannweite: 20-30 mm
Größe: 10-15 mm
Lebenserwartung: 10-30 Tage
Anzahl der Beine: 6

Ernährung und Fütterung

Larvae munch on figwort leaves, while adults sip nectar from flowers.

Altersunterschiede: Larvae eat plant leaves, but adults drink nectar and pollen.

Hauptnahrung

Scrophularia nodosa
Scrophularia auriculata
Nectar

Nahrungssuche

Foraging

Ökologische Zusammenhänge

eats

Common figwort

Scrophularia nodosa

Larvae strip leaves from these plants.

pollinates

Brooklime

Veronica beccabunga

Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen.

eaten by

Great Tit

Parus major

Birds often prey on their larvae and adults.

eaten by

Cross Orbweaver

Araneus diadematus

Spiders can catch adults in their webs.

Merkmale

Sozial

Soziale Tiere leben in organisierten Gruppen und kooperieren, um ihr Überleben zu sichern, beispielsweise bei der Nahrungssuche, Verteidigung und Aufzucht der Jungen.